Electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution on the vegetative propagation of bell pepper and tomato

The optimization of resources and time in the production of quality seedlings within a legal framework is of vital importance for greenhouse vegetable clops. This study evaluated the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution and its effect on the survival and growth of bell pepper and tomato seedlings propagated by cuttings. The electrical conchictivities evaluated were 0.92, 1.25. 1.50. and 1.75 dS m(-1). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The number of rooted plants, stem diameter, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight of leaves, stem. root, and total were determined. In addition, the following indices were determined: stem root index, slenderness index, leaf area ratio. .specific leaf area. and pre-transplant horticultural quality index. In both crops, the highest number of rooted cuttings was obtained with the lowest electrical conductivity Meanwhile. the average electrical conductivityfavored leafnumber, leafarea, biomass, and seedling quality indices. These results showed that the production of bell pepper and tomato seedlings can be done by cuttings using Stenier nutrient solution at electrical conductivities of 1.25 to 1.50 dS m(-1) without affecting seedling quality indices.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effect of different electrical conductivity levels of nutrient solution on the survival and growth of bell pepper and tomato seedlings propagated by cuttings. The results showed that using a Stenier nutrient solution with electrical conductivities of 1.25 to 1.50 dS m(-1) can produce rooted cuttings with high survival rates and good seedling quality indices.